Fresh Water Supply and Cleaning

[Bob Schuetz]

This is my first time commissioning a boat from winter storage. Last fall I winterized head and fresh water tank with marine (pink) antifreeze. The head I know I can pump out, no problem. What about the fresh water supply and drain? Where does the drainage go from the sink? Does it get routed to the holding tank attached to the head? I know where to add fresh water but how do I drain out all the old stuff. I looked over the boat and I see no special valves. The previous owner told me he never used the water but the hand pump faucet works.

 

[ToyBox]

Check the galley drain

My galley faucet drains through a threw hull right below the sink and i have a few directional valves from the sink and ice box to a through hull fitting. I have manual controls on those valves so I dont have any backwash into the ice box or the sink, but I can drain the entire freshwater tank through that sink as long as the valve is set to dump through the trough hull. Also assuming the pick stuff was environmentally friendly. If it was the same stuff I used from West Marine, you should be okay.Chris DC27

 

[Charlie]

fresh water

Drain the water through and sink. either turn on the pump of hand pump.If you want to have fresh water that taste pretty good you MUST clean your system. I mean tank and LINES which are the biggest cause of bad water.Putten gallons of water to your water tank and then add 1 cup of household bleach. If you have a preasurized system, turn on the pump and run the water out of every outlet on your boat. When the water coming out starts to smell like bleach, shut everything off except the pump because you want to keep water in all of the hoses. If you have a handfoot pump then you need to find a way to keep the lines full --- shutoff valves on both ends etc. Leave the water in the lines for 8 hours but not more then 24 hours. If you haven't done this before, you will be surprised at what comes out. After the time period, pump all the water out of the system and refill with fresh water and flush the system --- another ten gal. Now your ready for the season. The most important thing to remember is to USE THE WATER donot allow the water to stand in the tank for the whole season. The more that you use the better it will be fresher! Of course, if your sailing to England well let your good sense prevail!!!Charlie